Call for Papers
Call for Contributions
Open Challenges in Microwave, Optoelectronic, and Wireless Technologies for the Amazon
The 22nd SBMO/IEEE MTT-S International Microwave and Optoelectronics Conference (IMOC 2027) invites researchers, engineers, companies, startups, public institutions, and multidisciplinary teams to submit innovative contributions addressing open challenges in communications and sensing for the Amazon region.
IMOC 2027 will be held on November 15–18, 2027, in Belém, Pará, Brazil, under the promotion of the Brazilian Microwave and Optoelectronics Society (SBMO) and the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (IEEE MTT-S).
The Amazon presents unique technological challenges, including vast distances, low population density, dense forest coverage, extensive river networks, high humidity, limited infrastructure, difficult logistics, and restricted access to reliable energy. This special initiative aims to encourage solutions that improve connectivity, resilience, sustainability, environmental monitoring, and digital inclusion in the region.
Contributions may be theoretical, experimental, computational, interdisciplinary, or application-oriented. Proposals involving prototypes, field tests, simulations, demonstrations, pilot projects, and technology assessments are particularly encouraged.
Priority Challenges
1. Last-mile connectivity for remote communities
Development of affordable, energy-efficient, and easy-to-deploy communication systems for rural, riverine, Indigenous, forest, and other hard-to-reach communities.
Relevant topics include:
- Long-range wireless and radio communication systems;
- Community networks and mesh architectures;
- Hybrid terrestrial, microwave, fiber-optic, and satellite networks;
- Low-cost access infrastructure;
- Intermittent and delay-tolerant networks;
- Connectivity for schools, healthcare facilities, and protected areas;
- Communication systems operating under limited infrastructure conditions.
2. Autonomous and sustainable energy systems
Development of autonomous communication platforms capable of operating in locations without reliable access to the electrical grid.
Relevant topics include:
- Solar, wind, hydro, and hybrid energy systems;
- Energy harvesting from radio frequency, vibration, thermal gradients, or water flow;
- Low-power communication protocols and IoT systems;
- Intelligent energy management;
- Energy storage and long-life battery systems;
- Ultra-low-power microwave, optoelectronic, and wireless equipment;
- Artificial intelligence for energy-generation and demand prediction;
- Sustainable power systems for remote telecommunications infrastructure.
3. Resilient communications for forest, riverine, and emergency scenarios
Development of robust communication systems capable of maintaining essential services during infrastructure failures, natural disasters, and extreme environmental conditions.
Relevant topics include:
- Emergency and disaster-response networks;
- Rapidly deployable communication systems;
- Ad hoc, mesh, and delay-tolerant networks;
- Drone-based, aerial, and high-altitude communication platforms;
- Hybrid satellite and terrestrial systems;
- Propagation modeling in dense forests and over rivers;
- Communication systems for rescue teams and civil defense;
- Resilient networks for floods, droughts, storms, wildfires, and other emergencies.
4. Sensor networks for environmental and biodiversity monitoring
Development of distributed sensing and communication systems for monitoring forests, rivers, biodiversity, climate conditions, environmental quality, and territorial changes.
Relevant topics include:
- IoT networks for environmental monitoring;
- Sensors for temperature, humidity, smoke, gases, and water quality;
- Early detection of forest fires and illegal deforestation;
- River-level and flood monitoring;
- Fiber-optic, microwave, radar, and optoelectronic sensing;
- Satellite, LoRa, NB-IoT, and long-range wireless connectivity;
- Edge computing and artificial intelligence for event detection;
- Integration of sensors with drones and Earth-observation platforms.
5. Integrated heterogeneous network architectures
Development of integrated architectures combining terrestrial, optical, aerial, and non-terrestrial communication systems to provide reliable coverage across the Amazon.
Relevant topics include:
- Hybrid and heterogeneous networks;
- Integration of mobile, fiber-optic, microwave, and satellite systems;
- Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN);
- Drone-based and high-altitude communication platforms;
- Radio-over-fiber and microwave photonics;
- Free-space optical communications;
- 5G-Advanced and 6G architectures;
- Open RAN, network virtualization, and software-defined networks;
- Artificial intelligence for dynamic link selection and network management;
- Seamless handover among terrestrial, aerial, optical, and satellite networks.
Submission Categories
The following types of contributions are welcome:
- Technical and scientific papers;
- Research proposals;
- Technology demonstrations;
- Prototypes and proof-of-concept systems;
- Field experiments and pilot projects;
- Simulation and modeling studies;
- Industrial and institutional case studies;
- Interdisciplinary projects involving technology, sustainability, public policy, and community development.
Suggested Proposal Content
Submissions should include:
1. Title of the proposed contribution;
2. Description of the problem or challenge addressed;
3. Proposed technology, methodology, or solution;
4. Intended application environment;
5. Expected results and benefits;
6. Performance indicators;
7. Technology Readiness Level, when applicable;
8. Infrastructure, data, or partnerships required;
9. Potential social, environmental, and economic impact;
10. Demonstration or validation plan.
Expected Impact
This initiative seeks to promote:
- New technologies for connectivity in remote regions;
- Sustainable and resilient communication infrastructure;
- Environmental and biodiversity monitoring solutions;
- Collaboration among academia, industry, government, and local communities;
- Technology transfer and pilot projects in the Amazon;
- Digital inclusion and improved access to essential services;
- Contributions to sustainable development and responsible use of natural resources.
Researchers and technology developers are encouraged to submit innovative contributions that address the specific geographic, climatic, environmental, social, and infrastructural conditions of the Amazon.
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